Data released by the Australian Bureau of Statistics today shows exports (seasonally-adjusted) rose 0.5 per cent to $27.3 billion in September to be 15 per cent higher from a year ago. This follows increases of 3.5 per cent and 0.8 per cent in the previous two months.

Goods exports (not seasonally-adjusted) to China in the month of September remained steady at $8.7 billion, while exports to the Republic of Korea and to the 10 ASEAN economies increased 4.4 per cent (to $1.7 billion) and 7.7 per cent (to $2.2 billion), respectively. Goods exports to East Asia totalled $17.5 billion in September.

Driving the slight rise in exports was a rise in resources, up 3 per cent to $13.8 billion. Services exports also rose by $8 million to $4.6 billion, with travel services up 1.2 per cent or $33 million.

Imports fell 1 per cent to $27.6 billion in September to be 4.4 per cent higher from a year ago.Consumption goods fell 3 per cent to $6.8 billion, and capital goods fell 2.9 per cent to $5.4 billion.This was partly offset by a 2.3 per cent rise in intermediate and other merchandise goods to $9.6 billion, driven by an 11.6 per cent increase in fuels and lubricants.Services imports rose by $21 million to $5.4 billion.

Merchandise imports from East Asia increased by 3.8 per cent to $11.8 billion in September.Imports from: China rose 4.4 per cent to $4.7 billion, the 10 ASEAN economies rose 3.7 per cent to $4 billion, and the Republic of Korea rose 28.7 per cent to $977 million.

Overall, Australia recorded a seasonally-adjusted trade deficit of $284 million in September, a 59 per cent decline on the revised $693 million deficit in August.